Tamez attorney pushes back on Homeland land seizure

Eloisa Tamez is hours away from losing a portion of her family land in El Calaboz to U.S. Homeland Security.

In its push to fulfill its mandate to establish nearly 700 miles of border wall, Homeland has benefited from its clearance to waive dozens of federal laws under the Real ID Act.

Tamez objected, however, complaining in federal court that Homeland had never sought to negotiate with her or make a fair offer for her land. Last year, a federal judge concurred, delaying a portion of the Cameron County barrier. However, in a ruling last week, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen said Homeland is now clear to grab Tamez's land.

As the construction crews mobilized, Tamez's attorney Peter Schey, of the Los Angeles-based Center for Human Rights and International Law, is angling for a temporary restraining order.

He wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Aiman yesterday, objecting that the agency is skipping a couple important steps in its land rush, including demonstrating "the steps Plaintiff will take to minimize the impact on the

environment, culture, commerce and quality of life for the defendantâ?¦.”